Beihai Park

Written by Sally Guo Updated Jul. 6, 2021

One of the most famous and beautiful parks in Beijing, Beihai Park, or Beihai Gongyuan, is also one of the earliest examples of Asian-style gardening in the world.

What to See in Beihai Park

About 39 hectares out of the 69 hectares park area is water. The whole park is divided into five scenic zones: Qiong Isle, Tuancheng or Tuan City, Dongan, or East Bank, and the Beihai Arboretum, each of these five parts having its own enchanting features.

The most important attractions in the park include the Hua Fang Zai, or Chamber of Paining Boat, Jin Xin Zai, or the Chamber of Tranquil Heart the Hall of the Heavenly King, The Hall of Fast Snow, the Screen of Nine Dragons, and the Xiao Xi Tian.

The greenness and a large variety of architectural styles in the park display the features of gardens in both northern and southern Imperial China.

The White Pogoda

The landmark of the park is the "Baita" or "White Pagoda" that stands on Qinghua Island. The White Pogoda was first built in the eighth year of Emperor Shunzhi in 1651 AD at the request of the Tibetan Lama Naomuhan.

It has long been known for its white color, elegant shape, and typical Tibetan style. It is commonly recognized as the most famous Lama pagoda in Beijing. Seen from afar the pagoda looks like a huge white vase.

Beihai Park History

The park served as an imperial garden during the Liao Dynasty, over 800 years ago. After rounds of rebuilding and restoration, including a large-scale refurbishment during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, the park took on its present look.

Emperor Qianlong showed great passion for building the royal garden after his journey to Suzhou and Hangzhou, two beautiful cities in southern China known for outstanding private gardens. He ordered a large-scale construction of gardens within Beihai Park.

The garden once held a large amount of national treasure, which was all looted by the Eight-Power Allied Force as they invaded Beijing and completely destroyed the garden in 1900.

Until the eve of the Xinhai Revolution and the founding of the Republic of China in 1911, it had been an imperial garden exclusively for the royal family.

Since 1925 the garden, formerly used exclusively by the emperor and their family, has been open to ordinary visitors as a public park. The preservation efforts for the beautiful garden have never ceased over the past decades.

Location: No. 1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng District, Beijing (the northwest of the Forbidden City)

How to Get There?

Bus No. 101, 103, 10, 812, 814, and 846 passes the south gate of the park, Bus No. 107, 111, 118, 701, and 823 go to the north gate of the park and No. 5 to the east gate of the park.

Ticket Price:

High season: 10 Yuan;
Low season: 5 Yuan
Qionghua Island: 10 Yuan
Big boat dock: 5 Yuan

Opening Hours:

1. The park: 6: 00 am to 10 pm
2. Qionghua Island: 8: 30 am to 6: 00 pm
3. Big boat dock: 9: 00 am to 6: 00 pm
4. Small boat dock: 9: 00 am to 6: 00 pm

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